Typical Day on the Loop

Riding the Loop
half reclined
sun glinting
off side mirror
my two front wheels
hugging the curves
back-wheel gearing
drives me easily
up hills and down
powered by legs
and feet on peddles
upfront and raised
almost eye-level

Roadrunner scoots
across the path
chasing a skink

lone coyote matches
my pace but
down in the wash
occasionally looks
my way as if
not interested

probably hunting
prairie dogs, jackrabbits,
or roadrunners…
old ‘Wiley E…’
stops to lick at
the standing water
spies a couple pigeons

and I’m on the
lookout for
coyote-shaped holes
and anvils hanging
from overpasses

a large hawk watching
with interest
from a dead tree
on the wash-bank
launches toward the
wash as I approach
while a couple more
circle high above

and I stop to hydrate
contemplating the
ride home
and a long nap

singin’ bye bye
Tucson empanada
rode my tadpole
to the river but
the Santa Cruz
was nigh

the day a cougar climbed
a thorny saguaro’s side
laid on top all-day
patiently waiting
the careless prey

–LE